While September is heating up with record temperatures around the region, fall is just around the corner and with it comes a bounty of outdoor activities at our local farms. Corn mazes are a big attraction for both young and old as they not only provide hours of entertainment, they are usually coupled with other agricultural activities, farm-gate shopping, and delicious treats. The following is a roundup of corn mazes throughout the region that are open in September and October.

Surrey

The Boze Corn Maze and Veggie Patch have entertained visitors since 1999. Answer trivia questions along your way through the maze that will help you navigate around the towering corn.

Location: 64th Avenue at 156th Street, Surrey. On Highway #1 head east and quickly take the 152nd Street exit just off the Port Mann bridge, heading south. Follow 152nd until you reach 64th Avenue and turn left. Once you reach 156th Street turn right and you’ll see the maze.

Dates and Times: Monday through Wednesday the maze is reserved for groups of 15 or more only. Thursdays and Fridays the maze is open to the general public from 6:00pm until 8:00pm, Saturdays from 12:00pm to 8:00pm, and Sundays and holidays from 12:00pm until 4:00pm.

Tickets:* Cash only. Ages 19 to 64 are $7, ages 6 to 18 are $6, 5-year olds are $4, and children 4 and under are free. Families of four are $23 ($4 for every extra member) and seniors 65+ are $6. Call (778) 578-5450 or email bosemaze[at]hotmail.com with group requests for 15 or more, for Monday and Wednesday bookings.

Pitt Meadows

The largest of all the mazes (that I could locate) is the Meadows Maze, a whopping 15 acres of twists and turns in the corn including 12 hidden stations. If you find all 12 you win a free postcard. On top of the maze they also have a Bee Observatory, goats to feed (at Lions Goat Bridge), a petting zoo, Meadows Mountain slide, storytelling from Corny, and a Hay Wagon Ride. Purchase some homemade fudge or locally-made ice cream and have a picnic with the family. They also have a Corn Fest happening on Saturday, September 14, 2013.

Location: 13672 Reichenbach Road, Pitt Meadows. From Vancouver, take Highway #1 east until you get to the United Boulevard exit, just before the Port Mann Bridge. Follow the signs to the Mary Hill Bypass (BC 7B). You’ll merge onto Lougheed Highway at the Pitt River Bridge and cross over the river, turning left at Old Dewdney Trunk Road, then turning left onto Reichenbach Road.

Dates and Times: Open Monday through Thursday for schools and groups (by appointment) only. Fridays and Saturdays are open to the general public from 11:00am to 10:00pm, Sundays and holidays from 11:00am to 6:00pm through to October 14th.

Tickets:* Ages 13 and older at $12, 3 to 12 year olds are $9. Admission for this package that includes the corn mazes also includes, pig races, Harvest Time, Petting Zoo access, Bouncy Pony Rides, Meadows Mountain, Corny’s Hay Pile, Bee Observatory, Misting tent, Picnic Areas, Fire Pits, and Hay wagon Ride, Barrel Train and Maze Train. There are other package options available that do not include the mazes. You can also get a Dusk Rate from 8:00pm onward for $9 (ages 13 and over) and $6 (ages 3 to 12). Children age 2 and under are free but must be accompanied by an adult in all attractions.

Abbotsford

Papa Joe’s Corn Mazes at Maan Farms are open for the season featuring a 3.5 acre corn maze along with a Kiddy Corn Labyrinth. On top of winding through the maze, you can make a game of it by finding letters placed within the corn with which you can spell at word once you emerge. Other activities at Maan Farms include the Kidz Corral play zone, Critter Corral petting zoo, and corn cannon (for an additional fee).

Location: 790 Mckenzie Road, Abbotsford. From Vancouver, head east on Highway #1 and take Exit 90 and then take the 2nd roundabout exit onto McCallum Road south. Turn left once you reach Vye Road and then take the first right onto McKenzie Road and you’re there.

Dates and Times: Open 7 days a week from 6:00am until 6:00pm. The award-winning U-Pick is also open during these times.

Tickets:* The Farm Fun package (Critter Corral, Kidz Corral, Kiddy Corn Labyrinth, and more) is $5 for children 2 and up (under 2 are free) and $3 for parents. The A-Maze-Ing Farm Fun package (Farm Fun package + Papa Joe’s Corn Maze) is $8 for children 2 and up (under 2 are free) and $6 for parents.

Chilliwack

The 12-acre Chilliwack Corn Maze has been enchanting agri-tourists since 1999 thanks to the Bruinsma and Taekema families. Aside from the corn maze, there is also a giant jumping pillow (like a huge bouncy castle with no sides), pedal carts, an indoor hay bale maze, duck races, farm animals, a corn train, swings, and a flashlight maze in the dark (which is for grown-ups).

Location: 41905 Yale Road West, Chilliwack. From Vancouver travel east on Highway #1 and take Exit 109 (the Yale Road West exit), turn right onto Yale Road West and travel 2kms southeast. Look for the maze sign and turn left onto Cannor Road. Look for the red barn.

Dates and Times: Open since August, the corn maze will be going strong until October 31, 2013. It’s open for visitors on Thursdays and Fridays from 6:00pm to 9:00pm, Saturdays from 11:00am to 9:00pm, and Sundays and holidays from 11:00am to 6:00pm.

Tickets:* Adults are $11.50, ages 3-13 and seniors are $9.50, group rates are also available. Tickets can be purchased online in advance using a credit card or PayPal, or on-site with cash or debit.

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